Sunyani, Aug 5, GNA - A Magistrate Court in Sunyani on Thursday committed Kwame Dokyi, a 35-year-old farmer, who allegedly raped a nine-month pregnant woman, at Fiema near Nkoranza, to stand trial at the High Court.

His plea was not taken and was remanded to re-appear on Thursday, August 19.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Alex Yartey Tawiah told the Court that on December 12, Dokyi visited the victim, Esther Fosuah and requested her to accompany him to his house to collect fish. On the way, the accused dragged her into a nearby bush, threatened to kill her with a cutlass and sexually assaulted her. DSP Tawiah said Esther reported the matter to the Nkoranza police and Dokyi was arrested.

In a related development, the Court also committed a 23-year-old farmer, Songontu Zacziah, to stand trial at the Sunyani High Court for raping a 16-year-old girl at Nkoranza.

Zacziah's plea was not taken and was remanded to re-appear on Thursday, August 19.

DSP Tawiah said on December 25, 2002 the girl, who lived with her father, Mr William Biah, left the house to attend nature's call but on the way back, the accused sent the victim to buy him a cigarette. When she brought the cigarette, the accused lured her into an uncompleted building and forcibly had sexual intercourse with her after which he warned her not to tell anyone.

DSP Tawiah said when the girl returned home late and was queried by the father she told him of the ordeal she went through.